Read More

The findings from the Office for National Statistics were called "shocking" by one academic.

Glasgow’s life expectancies - which cover babies born between 2014 and 2016 - lag between four and six years behind the averages for the UK.

The average baby boy born in the UK can expect to live to 79.2 years and girls to 82.9 years as it stands.

Dr Kingsley Purdam of the University of Manchester said: “The new UK life expectancy estimates from the ONS are shocking.”

“The increases in life expectancy for both men and women in recent years are flatlining.”

“A number of often interrelated factors are associated with lower life expectancy including: low income, employment status, the local environment, housing, access to health care, smoking and alcohol consumption levels, diet, exercise, social status and social isolation.

“Austerity and the cuts in public services, including for older people with care needs, are also thought to be a factor.”

Professor Richard Faragher, an expert in ageing at the University of Brighton, added: “The primary cause of the flatlining is elevated deaths among the frail elderly.

“The oldest people are the frailest, they are highly vulnerable and the services that support them have been heavily cut.

"Essentially, austerity has unmasked the unhealthy ageing of our population.”